Apparatus and method for sorting of cells

Abstract

A device for use in sorting cells comprises a first body member having a pair of longitudinally spaced through passages opening to a inner surface. A second body member has an inner surface and a portion defining an opening. The first body member is configured to be mounted to the second body member such that a gasket is disposed between the inner surface of the first body member. The substrate is disposed between the gasket and the inner surface of the second body member for overlying the opening in the second body member. The openings in the first body member open onto an inner surface of the substrate at opposite ends of a channel defined by the inner surface of the first body member, an elongated longitudinal opening in the gasket and the substrate.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A device for use in sorting cells, the cell sorting device comprising:
 a first body member having an inner surface and pair of longitudinally spaced through passages opening to the inner surface;   a second body member having an inner surface, a portion of the second body member defining an opening;   a substrate having an inner surface; and   a gasket defining an elongated longitudinal opening,   
       wherein the first body member is configured to be mounted to the second body member such that the gasket is disposed between the inner surface of the first body member and the substrate, and the substrate is disposed between the gasket and the inner surface of the second body member for overlying the opening in the second body member, and 
       wherein the openings in the first body member open onto the inner surface of the substrate at opposite ends of a channel defined by the inner surface of the first body member, the gasket and the substrate. 
     
     
         2 . A cell sorting device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is transparent. 
     
     
         3 . A cell sorting device as recited in  1 , wherein the portion of the second body member defining the opening has a continuous ledge for receiving and supporting the substrate such that the inner surface of the substrate is flush with the inner surface of the second body member. 
     
     
         4 . A cell sorting device as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the gasket spaces the inner surface of the first body member from the inner surface of the second body member. 
     
     
         5 . A cell sorting device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first body member and the second body member comprises a base portion terminating in edges, and further comprising
 a continuous peripheral wall depending from the edges of the base portion of one of the first body member or the second body member and terminating in longitudinal edges, and a flange integral with and extending along at least a portion of an edge of the depending wall,   
       wherein the other of the first body member or the second body member defines a slot along an edge, the slot configured to receive the flange for a snap-fit connecting the first body member and the second body member. 
     
     
         6 . A cell sorting device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the flange is configured for contacting the other of the first body member and the second body member when connecting for flexing the flange of the first body member resiliently outwardly or resiliently inwardly for changing the outer dimensions of the wall such that the slot defined by the other of the first body member or the second body member receives the terminal edge of the flange. 
     
     
         7 . A cell sorting device as recited in  claim 6  wherein the terminal edges of the flange of the body portion of one of the first body member or the second body member engage the inner surface of the slot of the other of the first body member or the second body member. 
     
     
         8 . A cell sorting device as recited in  claim 6  wherein the terminal edges of the flange of the body portion of one of the first body member or the second body member engage the outer surface of the slot of the other of the first body member or the second body member. 
     
     
         9 . A cell sorting device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the distance from the longitudinal edges of the base portion to the longitudinal edges of the wall is less than the width of the gasket. 
     
     
         10 . A cell sorting device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each body member comprises a base portion terminating in longitudinal edges, and further comprising legs extending from the longitudinal edges of the base portion of one the first body member or the second body member and terminating in longitudinal edges such that the base portion and the legs define an open longitudinal channel configured to slidably receive the other of the first body member or the second body member. 
     
     
         11 . A cell sorting device as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a flange integral with and extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal edges of each leg, wherein the other of the first body member or the second body member defines a slot along an edge, the slot configured to receive the flanges for a snap-fit connecting the first body member and the second body member. 
     
     
         12 . A cell sorting device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the flanges are configured for contacting the other of the first body member or the second body member when connecting for flexing the legs of the first body member or the second body member resiliently outwardly or resiliently inwardly for changing the outer dimensions of the legs such that the slot defined by the other of the first body member or the second body member receives the terminal edges of the flanges. 
     
     
         13 . A cell sorting device as recited in  claim 11  wherein the terminal edges of the flanges of the body portion of one of the first body member or the second body member engage the inner surface of the slot of the other of the first body member or the second body member. 
     
     
         14 . A cell sorting device as recited in  claim 11  wherein the terminal edges of the flanges of the body portion of one of the first body member or the second body member engage the outer surface of the slot of the other of the first body member or the second body member. 
     
     
         15 . A cell sorting device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the distance from the longitudinal edges of the base portion to the longitudinal edges of the legs is less than the width of the gasket. 
     
     
         16 . A cell sorting device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the each body member comprises a base portion terminating in longitudinal edges, and further comprising legs extending from the longitudinal edges of the base portion of one of the first body member or the second body member and terminating in longitudinal edges, the base portion and the legs defining an open longitudinal channel; and a flange integral with the longitudinal edges of each leg, the flanges extending inwardly such that the base portion, legs, and flanges define opposed longitudinal slots, wherein the longitudinal channel and slots are configured to slidably receive the other of the first body member or the second body member. 
     
     
         17 . A cell sorting device as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising fluid transfer fittings configured to be disposed in the openings in the first body member for communication with a fluid source or fluid capture apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . A cell sorting device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first body member is pivotally connected to the second body member for movement between an open position and a closed position where the first body member and the second body member are connected. 
     
     
         19 . A device for use for sorting cells, the cell sorting device comprising:
 a body member having an inner surface defining a cavity, the first body member having a first end and a second end and holes at each of the first and second ends opening into the cavity;   a block member having an outer surface defining a longitudinally extending open channel; and   a substrate,   
       wherein the block member is configured to be disposed in the body member such that the first and second holes align with the ends of the channel and the substrate is disposed between the inner surface of the body member and the block member. 
     
     
         20 . The cell sorting device as recited in  claim 19 , wherein a portion of the body member defining the cavity has an opening, wherein the substrate overlies the opening in the body member. 
     
     
         21 . The cell sorting device as recited in  20 , wherein the portion of the body member defining the opening has a continuous ledge for receiving and supporting the substrate such that the inner surface of the substrate is flush with the inner surface of the body member. 
     
     
         22 . The cell sorting device as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the channel in the block member opens onto the surface of the substrate. 
     
     
         23 . A device for use in sorting cells, the cell sorting device comprising:
 a first body member having an inner surface;   a second body member having an inner surface defining a cavity, the second body member having a first end and a second end and holes at each of the first and second ends opening into the cavity;   a block member having a longitudinally extending channel; and   a substrate having an inner surface,   
       wherein the first body member is configured to be mounted to the second body member such that the block member is disposed in the cavity between the inner surface of the first body member and the inner surface of the substrate, and the substrate is disposed between the block member and the inner surface of the second body member, and 
       wherein the block member is configured to be disposed in the cavity such that the first and second holes align with the ends of the channel. 
     
     
         24 . The cell sorting device as recited in  claim 23 , wherein a portion of the second body member defining the cavity has an opening, wherein the substrate overlies the opening in the body member. 
     
     
         25 . The cell sorting device as recited in  24 , wherein the portion of the body member defining the opening has a continuous ledge for receiving and supporting the substrate.